Between the Capitol’s recovery from the fire of 1814 and the
opening of the 1857 wings, souvenirs most often related directly to the experience of being there—learning about the
building and environs, and knowing who was who on the House Chamber floor. Development
in the neighborhood around the Capitol was limited.

To remedy this lack of retail, the Rotunda hosted vendors, including local printmaker and bookseller
Casimir Bohn, who sold Chamber floor plans and guidebooks to visitors. The floor
plans indicate which Member was assigned to what desk, making spectating in the
galleries—a popular way to spend a day in 19th century Washington—a richer
experience.

The Washington Guide,
printed and sold by S.A. Eliot in 1826 provided all the information a visitor
needed to tour Washington. Landmark
buildings were few, so the text goes into great detail about structures that
did exist, as well as the varieties of trees and plants to be found in the
city's many green spaces, and the fish that inhabited the Anacostia (or Eastern
Branch) and Potomac rivers. Even detailed descriptions of the weather were
included in this guidebook.